Notebook, 09/12

Will have an item on UTSA’s special teams woes, and specifically the blocked punt, along with a short notebook in tomorrow’s paper. Before then, some notable items:

* Defensive end Jason Neill, cornerback Alondre Thorn and defensive tackle Franky Anaya have all been officially promoted to the starting lineup. (Neill actually started in Saturday’s loss to McMurry as well, but the move has been made permanent.)

Head coach Larry Coker’s thoughts on all three:

Neill: “He’s going to be an great player for us. It’s the effort he gives. Watching him every down, he doesn’t take a play off. He also plays inside and outside, which gives us some flexibility.”

Thorn: “Alondre has really stepped up from the standpoint of the trust factor. We feel like he’s a guy who can help us out there on an island.”

Anaya: “Franky is a better pass rusher (than Richard Burge). He had a very good game last week. He’s been a great addition for us. Plus, he’s a little older as a junior college kid.”

Though David Glasco II also started Saturday’s game at tailback, he continues to be listed as the co-backup with Tevin Williams behind Chris Johnson. They rushed for 50, 19 and 34 yards, respectively, against McMurry. Glasco leads all tailbacks with 76 yards and two touchdowns.

* Though Coker doubts he’ll start, he indicated recent Fresno State transfer Erik Brown is in line for signficant playing time Saturday against Southern Utah.

“It’s just a matter of seeing where he fits in,” Coker said.

Brown’s addition comes none too soon with the Roadrunners, fresh off their shredding at the hands of McMurry’s Jake Mullin, set to face the cannon-armed Brad Sorensen of Southern Utah, one of 20 players on the 2011 Payton Award watch list, the FCS version of the Heisman.

“He’s got an NFL arm,” Coker said of Sorensen, who is completing nearly 74 percent of his passes for an average of 305 yards in Southern Utah’s first two games.

*Though they’re all still listed as indefinite, Coker made it sound like safety Lekenwic Haynes (foot), tight end Cole Hubble (shoulder) and wide receiver Earon Holmes (shoulder) are all close to returning. Though he has yet to be cleared for game action, Hubble has already resumed practicing.

“They’re making progress,” Coker said. “We’re going to need all these guys as the season wears on.”

* In addition to marking the first road game in program history, Saturday’s game against Southern Utah opens a difficult stretch in which the Roadrunners will face six FCS opponents in seven games. Two of those opponents are nationally ranked, including the Thunderbirds, and a third, Sam Houston State, has received votes in at least two polls.

“It’s going to be difficult,” Coker said. “We know the competition is going to get better as we go on. We’re going to learn about ourselves, and we’re going to get better, too.”